Software Engineer - Autonomy Infrastructure, Systems and Tools

Skydio is the leading US drone company and the world leader in autonomous flight, the key technology for the future of drones and aerial mobility. The Skydio team combines deep expertise in artificial intelligence, best-in-class hardware and software product development, operational excellence, and customer obsession to empower a broader, more diverse audience of drone users, from utility inspectors https://www.skydio.com/solutions/energy-and-utilities to first responders https://www.skydio.com/solutions/public-safety, soldiers in battlefield scenarios https://www.skydio.com/solutions/national-security/tactical-isr, and beyond https://www.skydio.com/solutions.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

We are looking for an experienced software engineer to lead the development of tools that support every stage of the autonomy lifecycle. You will be responsible for building and evolving core internal platforms that allow engineers to test new ideas, diagnose system behaviors, and understand complex interactions between software and the physical world.

This role combines backend systems work with front-end visualization, and requires a strong sense of software design, developer experience, and a passion for enabling others through effective tooling. The systems you build will be used daily by autonomy developers, test engineers and other stakeholders across the company.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

- Design and build robust replay and analysis systems that enable engineers to inspect and reproduce recorded autonomy behavior, with fine-grained control over system state, perception outputs, and decision-making at every stage of the stack.

- Develop scalable infrastructure for automated testing and failure triage, expanding our simulation and log-driven test coverage while accelerating root-cause analysis through automated log processing and diagnostics.

- Operate at the interface between autonomy software and core robotics middleware, defining clear APIs, data contracts, and performance requirements for messaging, state propagation, and coordination across subsystems, while partnering closely with downstream teams to support their implementation and integration.

- Design and implement high-quality developer infrastructure and tools that prioritize reliability, performance, and usability, enabling rapid iteration, safe experimentation, and sustained velocity across the autonomy organization.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

- Lead the design and implementation of scalable tools used across autonomy development and testing workflows.

- Collaborate with autonomy, QA, and infrastructure teams to gather requirements, align on priorities, and deliver impactful tooling.

- Build tools that streamline stages of the robotics development process.

- Take ownership of internal services from concept through deployment and monitoring.

- Contribute to the long-term vision and roadmap for developer tools that improve debugging efficiency, test coverage, and system understanding.

QUALIFICATIONS:

- 3+ years of professional experience in software engineering, ideally in robotics, simulation, or systems development.

- Proficiency in C++ and Python, with a strong grasp of performance-sensitive and multi-threaded systems.

- Experience with simulation frameworks, time-synchronized data systems, or state-machine-driven applications.

- Familiarity with structured data visualization, log processing, or developer tooling design.

- Strong communication skills and the ability to partner effectively with cross-functional teams.

- Comfort operating in a fast-paced environment where requirements evolve and priorities shift.

BONUS EXPERIENCE:

- Experience building performance-sensitive systems (profiling, multithreading, real-time constraints) in robotics, aerospace, automotive, or similar domains.

- Exposure to robotics / simulation / physics engines.

- Background in telemetry systems, log ingestion pipelines, or automated test environments.

- Front-end development skills in modern web frameworks (e.g., React, TypeScript, Three.js, Plotly) with a focus on data interaction and visualization.

- Familiarity with distributed systems or cloud-hosted services used to support internal tools and customer applications.

#LI-SM1

At Skydio we believe that diversity drives innovation. We have created a multidisciplinary environment that embraces the power of diverse perspectives to create elegant solutions for complex problems. We are committed to growing our network of people, programs, and resources to nurture an inclusive culture.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local anti-discrimination laws.

For positions located in the United States of America, Skydio, Inc. uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/